Minna—Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said he “will surely seek the mandate” of Nigerians in the 2015 presidential election under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Buhari who lost the 2011election on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, however said he was ready to step down for any other better candidate that may emerge under the new party.
He spoke in Minna, capital of Niger State during the maiden edition of Sam Nda-Isaiah Annual Lecture Series, saying that politics should not be seen as a do-or-die affair.
Buhari, however advocated that the best candidate should always be given a chance in the midst of many.
He said: “Whoever said he wants to contest has a chance. Let him come out because the more we are, the merrier. But I will be ready to step down if there is a formidable and better candidate.
“It is not about me but for the survival of the party. APC is about ensuring internal democracy. Whoever emerges is the person I will support. Yes I will be ready to step down”.
Also speaking in a separate interview with newsmen, former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau assured that the presidential ticket of the emerging party will surely be given to the most credible candidate of the party.
According him, “it is even too early to talk about or to have a presidential candidate. In APC, we will have internal democracy that will guide the party. Let us have the party on the ground first and it will be followed by congresses at various levels that will produce our candidates and at that point, anybody can contest and the party will support the best candidate that will emerge.
“Let Nigerians know one thing for sure, we are not talking of just dismantling the PDP. We want a change. We are not just talking about change in democracy but change in attitude, change in approach, change in character, change in conducting the business of government. That is why our slogan is change. We are determined to change Nigeria for the better”.
Gen. Buhari, who spoke on “the role of youths in sustaining democratic values in Nigeria,” asked the media to be courageous and carry out their constitutional responsibilities by keeping leaders and those in government on their toes towards serving the electorate diligently.
Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu in his message, noted with dismay that youths were being used to foment crisis in the polity.
He said: “It is regrettable that young people have become most vulnerable to social vices in society today and this was largely due to the lack of adequate parental care and neglect of our core moral values and social norms. This is why we must pay more attention to the training of our children for the good of the society”.
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